Honours even, it’s Boleyn over and out
A gripping, fast-paced and compelling derby ended in frustrating stalemate for both teams and their fans, with possibly the visitors feeling the dropped two points more keenly than the home side. Having been 0-2 up on the brink of half-time, Arsenal found themselves three-two down within minutes of the break. That their principal nemesis was a lump of a player taking full advantage of superb, almost militarily precise service and the determination of a referee to ‘manage’ the game as opposed to applying the rules of it, was typically galling. But as on so many other occasions, imagined or otherwise by this writer, Arsenal were again undone by a player having his best game-of-the-season/career.
The ‘Ammers were fortunate not to be hammered for Carroll’s use of the studs, the elbow and a haircut too horrific to describe in decent company. With the quality of service and the desire of the player himself in all too rare alignment for the East-enders, whilst the score line ended in parity, the disparity of a (relatively) height-challenged Arsenal side was exposed in all its limitations with the continued side-lining of both Mertesacker and Cech leaving them seemingly exposed to aerial attack at the back.
How we missed a player of the stature of Adams or Campbell opined the purists. Given the sunset creeping around Per’s career, this could well be an ‘item’ already down on Arsene’s summer shopping list, suggested others.
However, despite the disparity, it feels something of a revelation that Andrew Carroll only won 5 of his 12 aerial battles against the cultured midgets and, given his height advantage, that he scored from 3 of those 5 is indicative of our defensive endeavour. Sadly, an endeavour that proved not effective enough as it turned out, and the tactics of Bilic were as clear as daylight from pretty much the opening minutes of the game. Without more height in defence, it’s unlikely this will be the last time we will find ourselves targeted in this fashion, this season or the next.
The other worrying stat brought into ever-sharper focus as a result of this weekend’s draw is the scarcity of points taken off our London rivals this season – just 6 points out of 21. Yet there was evidently no lack of desire on the part of our players today and there was a point when we almost made it 0-3, just prior to Carroll’s towering contributions, where you might have thought West Ham would have been dead and buried with the concession of one more goal.
But this stat has also to be taken in the context of a superb home record with the Happy ones now unbeaten in 14 games. Without meaning to sound bitter, it is very evident that the teams relying on a more ‘robust’ variant of the beautiful game benefit the most from the abject failure of referees to apply the rules as opposed to ‘managing the game’. Players like Carroll know with absolute certainty they can get away with sporting murder and the fact he was booked in minute four did little to deter his muscular interpretation of the rules of the beautiful (but managed) game.
So we are left third on 59 points. Recent games have seen evidence of teams cottoning on to Leicester’s tactics as a spate of 1-0’s would appear to testify. Interestingly, the possession stats in Saturday’s game – 39%-61% – mirror the tactics of the Plucky Ones: concede possession but hit hard on the counter. Spuds seemed suddenly less confident in their last (drawn) game. But despite this it’s hard to imagine both teams now collapsing to the point where we can realistically hope to take the championship this term. My gut feeling is 2nd place IS realistic and very much up for grabs and would represent progress, on paper, at least. In our heart of hearts, this season will most likely go down as the championship that got away and it’s safe to assume the banner industry will enjoy a mini-boom thanks to the disillusion on the part of some and the willingness of others to show themselves up as spoilt brats, giddy on publicity, oblivious to context and circumstance.
All I’d personally wish for is one season – just the one – where injuries don’t come to the rescue of our rivals. I do think Leicester have played some scintillating football this season and whilst the refs have hardly treated them harshly (and no matter the size of the glut, penalties don’t score themselves you know), they have played with great spirit and largely deserve to be where they are today. Leicester aside, I genuinely do not believe there are any better sides than a fully fit Arsenal team. That we beat the Midlanders, home and away, tells some sort of story though their superior consistency remains undeniable regardless of the background detail. Congratulations to Leicester on an outstanding effort; their (initially) impudent victories against Chelsea, Tottenham, Stoke, Liverpool, and M City in particular will live long in the memory.
* * *
Back in December, the Premier League table did not make pretty reading for the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, and United in particular. It was close to the half-way stage of the season when I wrote a piece for PA which was based on observations of what appeared to be happening. It was not intended as a prediction but in many ways, I’m delighted, for the sake of football in this country, that the following words still appear to hold some truth as we hurtle towards season’s end:
“… despite Man U having the highest revenue at £433 million, with City on £348m, and Chelsea on £324m, the (relatively) smaller English sides are now earning enough to buy – and pay – players of a sufficient quality to cause real problems for all the ‘big’ clubs.
Yes, something rather wonderful is happening to English football.
The old guard is no longer having things entirely their own way and there will be many nervous eyes cast in the direction of the explosive impact all this [new TV] cash will have on the cosy cartel that once dominated English football.
Now everybody in the League have got their hands on the loot.
As the prospects for the biggest clubs hang in the balance, everybody has a chance to win again and, happily, things may never be quite the same again.”
The siren voices presently shrieking for the head of Arsene Wenger all fail to take account of the relative – yet colossal – failures of just three clubs who have joint annual revenues north of £1 billion. Banner owners everywhere wilfully ignore the debilitating impact of our own club’s injuries on an otherwise superb squad. And they naively assume Arsene won’t strengthen in the summer despite the imminent retirement of numerous players once considered a key part of the squad. The latest revolution within the game continues apace and yet still Wenger keeps Arsenal ahead of most of the pack, a club that is always there, always competing.
Yes, it’s possible that their activities today may drive him out in 2017.
But by then, we may all be begging him to stay.
ArsenalAndrew is on Twitter @arsenalandrew.
Positively Arsenal 
If only Frank had not so disliked smiley faces , all this would have been avoided !
#Frankout
P.S I miss the old guy so much. He would have shown us the way.
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Andrew @ 3:28pm – Well said. I did a bit of taking data out of context by mentioning that United aberration. I did it quite deliberately knowing full well that they have been one of the best defensive teams in the League all season. But they are 5th or 6th in the League due mainly to a failure to score goals. Van Gaal gets in the neck from both sides though; this year his priority has been stopping them from leaking goals as much as last year but the media and the United malcontents demand he attacks. The latter are mostly the same group demanding that Mourinho replace LVG, apparently convinced Utd will start scoring 100 goals per season. Deluded is too much of a compliment. This mindless damning of an experienced, accomplished mgr is as prevalent there as it is at Arsenal. The only saving grace is our two principal owners did not get this wealthy by being stupid and making kneejerk decisions.
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George: Frank would have exposed the spinelessness of much of our support who show no gut for a fight. He could be aggressive because he had been on the terraces when the club languished 18 years without a title and could say without fear that most of the modern fan jumped on the bandwagon when Arsene made us the great exponents of modern football. If our players had the spine of jellyfish, like so many fans, no way we would have fought back from 3:2 to gain a point. No way would we have been a top-4 team for the past 20 years despite the Stadium debt and the sugar-daddy financed nouveau riche clubs.
As Frank would say Caaaaarman Arsenal!
Clickety, clack, clickety, clack, clickety, clack!
As Lady Nina ambles her way from the Stadium.
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the context for the data is included, this season when we conceded only one goal which has been 11 times we only lost once, and that was v CFC when per was sent off, when we conceded two or more goals in a game we have only won once, that was v LCFC.
a point I may not have made clear, is that for me the data shows the team can defend well, with no loss to our scoring ratio in those games, in fact our scoring ratio is slightly higher at around 1.5 goals a game when conceding 1 goal, and its around 1.3 when we concede more than 1 goal and more so how important it has been to keep it at no more than 1 goal conceded, the contrast between when we only concede one goal and when we concede more than one goal, is in fact startling, I actually had not noticed just how much it was till looking at the data. 1 defeat in 11(8 wins), compared to 1 win in 17(lost 13)
of course simple logic would dictate that its more difficult to win letting in more than 1 goal than it is if you let in 1. My point is that for AFC this season its been almost impossible for us to do so.
also just to clear one thing up, I put the fault for defensive failures down to the players. Individually and collectively. And going by Wenger’s comments many times this season, I feel he has indicated that he is frustrated at the continued lapses by the players, and that he had expected them not to make the same mistakes as last season, as work had been done on it. That is why I feel there will be a lot more changes to the squad this summer than many expect. Wenger will attempt to eradicate these lapses by changing personnel.
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no jack or tomas for the U21’a big game away to Derby county tonight. Derby are top of the division, AFC are second with a couple of games in hand. This is DC last game. Arsenal play again on Thursday and this day week. A win tonight would leave AFC needed one win from our next two, to be crowned champions.
Arsenal Under-21s starting XI: Macey, Johnson, Bielik, Pleguezuelo, M.Bola, Sheaf, Reine-Adelaide, Nelson, Crowley, Willock, Mavididi
substitutes: Keto, Hinds, Robinson, Dasilva, Pileas
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DCFC u21’s: Mitchell, Stabana, Rawson, Koblenz, Macdonald; Koblenz, Guy, Hughes; Gordon, Calero, Zanzala
substitutes: Vernam, Ravas, Elsnik, Cover, Babos
Hughes is the star man, been a regular in the first team for a couple of years, had lost of BPL teams trying to sign him, he is coming back from injury
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just realized that Gnabry not in the Arsenal U21 side tonight either, he was man of th match on Friday. So Wilshere, Rosicky and Gnabry all out from Friday’s team.
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is it a paradox for the WOB that they want him gone but do not trust Kroenke/Ivan/Board to get a good replacement, in fact most of them want Kroenke/Ivan/Board gone too.
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Arsenal FC @Arsenal 2m2 minutes ago
GOAL! Stephy Mavididi is the scorer! 1-0 (15) That is a fine solo effort. Mavididi sells his marker with a quick step over before flicking the ball past Mitchell
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PG, what has upset Mills?
Now, December 2014, and a piece in the Sun and some others. By ANTONY KASTRINAKIS, those who are aware of Untold, may also know of Anne who took issue with that chappie!
The headline of this article on the 3rd of December 2014, was Arsene: our Title by 2017. That yellow paper, does not do accents!
I quote:
“ARSENE WENGER has made a vow to fans that he will win the title in the next three years.
After Arsenal’s worst top-flight start in 32 years, calls for boss Wenger to go have grown and sup-porters even unfurled a “Thanks for the memories, time to go” banner at West Brom last Saturday.
After the first 12 games of the season the Gunners had just 17 points, their lowest tally since 1982.”
End of quote.
Forgive me, Steww – the Arsenal title winning team for 2017 was built over many years of denial, due to a new stadium. Money loving Man U, Chelsea and Man City, and now, a rum funding of Leicester City FC.
COTG, we are clinging on by our fingernails, to make it 2016!
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Arsenal FC @Arsenal 51s52 seconds ago
Goal. Charles Vernam is the scorer 1-1 (39) Vernam’s poke home is initially ruled offside, but following deliberation between the referees it is given 1-1
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Arsenal FC @Arsenal 51s51 seconds ago
Red card. Sheaf receives a second yellow card for arguing with the referee 1-1 (45)
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Arsenal FC @Arsenal 15s16 seconds ago
HALF-TIME: Derby County Under-21s 1-1 @Arsenal Under-21s #AFCU21
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Arsenal FC @Arsenal 4m4 minutes ago
Hinds has replaced Mavididi for the second half as the hosts make their way back out at the iPro Stadium #AFCU21
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there are going to be dozens of blog articles, hundreds of comments and thousands of tweets. Henry Winter is telling the AST audience what they want to hear.
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Arsenal FC @Arsenal 44s44 seconds ago
GOAL! Kaylen Hinds is the scorer! 2-1 (67) That is what you call a quick counter! Crowley releases Hinds, who fires the ball in off the bar to restore the lead 2-1
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Arsenal FC @Arsenal 25s25 seconds ago
FULL TIME: Derby Under-21s 1-2 @Arsenal Under-21s #AFCU21
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massive win for the U21’s over Derby, played entire second half with ten men, Mavadidi and Hinds with the goals in a 2-1 win, by the looks of it goalkeeper Macey the man of the match. Arsenal now 2pts of Derby on top, with Derby having played all their fixtures, and Arsenal having 2 games to play. Next up Swansea away on Thursday, then WBA at home next monday, one win required for Arsenal to win the division and gain promotion
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Roger East will ref the Arsenal v Crystal Palace game
Jonathan Moss will ref the Arsenal v West Brom game
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Tim Nichols @TimNicholsDM 5h5 hours ago
Lost over the weekend but it became mathematically impossible for LFC to win the title. Now 26 years, equalling United between 1967-1993
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Good win for the U21’s tonight.
They have a good chance to top the league in the next 2 games – and promotion to the upper league will be assured.
But I’ve been told that failure is systematic at our club.
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ah but DC you have to remember its only division 2 of the U21’s, so much like the FA Cup, its not a worthwhile success.
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isn’t it very odd that a journo as high profile as Henry Winter has all this info about Arsenal, Dein, Wenger, its players, its likely transfer target, for these years, and he chooses to reveal it at the AST meeting and not in one of the rags he writes for, or not on SKY who he also does lots of work for. Rather peculiar actions for a journo. His bosses must be furious, well that is if any of it is true and could be printed without fear of legal action etc.
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Any idea of the fee HW commanded for driving the AST agenda?
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Two bob and a pickled egg if it was a value deal.
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Who among you can forget the quality of this man’s journalism ?
His insight, his understanding of coaching, tactics, and the psychological dynamics of top class football ?
Who can doubt the depth of his knowledge of the beautiful game ?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9103072/Arsenal-vs-Tottenham-Robin-van-Persie-the-only-Gunner-in-Henry-Winters-combined-XI.html
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1886Gunners @Timbo_Slice1991 17h17 hours ago
Now is the Henry Winter of our discontent…
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Eddy, @bradyesque7 said that an hour previous. Clear example of theft
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Sagna and Clichy starting for Abu Dhabi in Qatar.
In the CL QF, Clichy was city’s starting LB when they won the title. Is it because they had Clichy as 1/4 as their back line they won they league? A player who all AFC experts knew was not good enough because he couldn’t defend or because the AFC coaches couldn’t coach, and nothing to do with their front line strikers Aguero, Dzecko and Negredo (pre injury and transfer?) banging in the goals to haul in their collapsing rivals (At the time my inexperienced thought was that Arteta’s magnificent finish had buried their chances).
Aguero looking quite knackered without those two backing him up. A £30M Bony and a rookie aren’t quite the same. Yup. Very tired haha!
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Diamond Football Academy President, Martin Apugo, has confirmed that the proposed deal taking Nigerian talent Samuel Chukwueze to Arsenal was on the brink of collapse until it was recently revived.
According to the Umuahia-based nursery team, Chukwueze’s insistence on joining the Gunners eventually paid off as they were in advanced talks with an unnamed team for the striker.
“Chukwueze is still joining Arsenal, he will travel any moment from now to start training with them” Diamond Academy supremo,Apugo, told allnigeriasoccer.com.
“I didn’t want him to go to Arsenal, wanted him to go somewhere else but he said he’ll be happy if he goes to Arsenal.”
The Bronze Shoe winner at the 2015 Fifa Under 17 World Cup has not been called up by Flying Eagles coach Emmanuel Amuneke for the Nigeria U20s get-together but hopes to begin training with the squad as from next week.
Martin Apugo added : “His name was not on the initial list but we are in touch with the coaches and hope this will be sorted out next week.”
Though a pre-contract agreement is in the offing, Arsenal will only offer a professional deal to Chukwueze next summer when he clocks 18.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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afcstuff @afcstuff 3h3 hours ago
Ex-Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson convinced Arsène Wenger to sign Danny Welbeck over the phone. Ferguson said Welbeck was a rapid learner, complimented his energy & work rate & told Wenger he’d be mad not to sign him. [Squawka]
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Man City into the semi finals of CL
Real Madrid into semi finals too, they won 3-0 to win the tie 3-2 on agg
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I’d like to know who persuaded Arsene to sign Mikael Silvestre ?
If it was Ferguson he owes us
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PSG collecting the dividend of playing in a one club league – second best all over the pitch tonight – hardly a contest.
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PSG were downright awful, couldn’t believe the amount of times the gave away the ball with awful passing, under no pressure. Zlatan was useless, £600K wages, he’s having a laugh.
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city to knock bayern out of cl
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the modern football fan
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Henry winter. What is it with the media and Tottenham?
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What is it with the media and Tottenham?
Joe Lewis. Comrade Boris etc. Same old same old.
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That KDB. Some player. Shame he got injured and scuppered City’s title hopes I blame though of course if they’d have played Sagna at CB they might’ve been higher up the table!
Arsene Vulture left Pellegrini with meagre pickings from Malaga and he got lumped with a collection of Mules to fill in the gaps save for the Special One’s cast off who is great signing for that or any club.
e.g.:Sterling, as a player who’s never hit the heights of “scapegoat of last week” Alex Chamberlain save for a few short weeks two years ago, Sterling isn’t quite up to standard save in the hype department)
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I am outraged
Hector is not on the PFA young player award nominations list
Absurd
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PFA young player shortlist:
Dele Alli(20), Harry Kane(22), Jack Butland(23), Philippe Coutinho(23), Romelu Lukaku(22), Ross Barkley(22)
the fucking one of them that should be considered a young player is Alli.
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Andynic, you should have used the killer..
Henry Winter 24th February 2012.
A day later – Arsenal 5 Spurs 2
Winter is over-rated. Winter is also supposed to have said that Arsenal have always had £30 millions to spend on transfers, since moving to the Emirates.
It proves, he is an idiot. The Times have been conned!
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Henry Winter is not Arsenal quality
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notoverthehill you will find that Winter claimed that David Dein told him that AFC had £30M to spend each summer.
Keith Edelman who was Managing Director at AFC from 2000 to 2008, and was responsible for all commercial and administrative activities at the club and was in charge of the funding of the Emirates Stadium project, revealed when at the club, that Arsenal had a loan facility agreement with the banks, where Arsenal, if they so wished, could borrow £50M for player purchases. this was a one off facility, but Arsenal decided not to increase the debt on the club, and instead lived within its means.
Arsenal in fact used this borrowing agreement to pedal the line that the club could afford to sign a “star” man if they found one. So the club was not lying when they made such claims, but they actually did not have the money in the accounts, which was actually shown each season when they announced the accounts. But of course the AAA/WOB don’t let little things like the facts stop them.
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why are no Arsenal fans whinging tonight about us not signing Suarez, Atletico v Barca is on tonight, just like last week when they had so much to say.
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FA Cup replay, FT: West Ham 1-2 Man Utd
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Sniper @clockendsniper 41m41 minutes ago
Can feel the FA Cup becoming a major trophy again this season.
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why wasn’t that a red card for iniesta
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